Chick 'n' Chocolate

It's Friday. Another week has passed, and we're already halfway through March. Hopefully that means we are more than halfway to spring. Come on spring!

One of the best shopping spots in our little town is Rural King. I go there to buy cat food, horse feed, and shavings. Don't be jealous.

I do like this part of the trip, though... freshly popped popcorn to enhance the shopping experience. Almost like the champagne they serve to shoppers in those high end shops on Rodeo Drive. Almost.

They sell just about everything at Rural King.

But the most exciting part of the trip this week? Chick Days! Oh yay! Wouldn't you like to take home a box of 50 little peepers? Me neither.

There are chicks in this tank, but I don't even want to know what that sign means.

Yellow chicks,

peeking chicks,

peeping chicks. Oh, were they peeping!

Hundreds of chicks,

thousands of chicks,

millions and

billions and

trillions of chicks.

(Borrowed and modified from one of my favorite children's books.)

And this was something new to me. I've heard of chick lit, a chick flick, chick-fil-a, chicken sh**, but what the heck is chick grit? I don't think I want to know. I just never had a desire to raise chickens. Too much peeping. And pooping.

But enough about chicks.

On Saturday, these three were headed to Cancun. They will be keeping an eye out for chicks of another variety. Be smart. Be safe. Have fun!

Saturday evening, our Greensburg Pirates played in the final game of the regional tournament. Since the game was three hours away, Jim and I opted to stay home and watch the live feed online. So cool that we could stream it through the computer to the big screen in the basement. And they won!! Go Pirates!!

On Monday, I took my friend for her chemotherapy. The hospital cafeteria has sushi. Who knew? And who eats that stuff, anyway?

On Wednesday, Haleigh was pulling things out of my cabinets looking for chocolate. This wasn't it, but she may be aware that this is used to make icing. For cupcakes.

She did eventually manage to pull this bag off the shelf. "I want chocolate, Granny." A girl after my own heart. Cutie.

Have a great weekend!

Linking up for Friday Fragments at Half-Past Kissin' Time.

Luck O' the Hodgepodge

Here it is, Wednesday already, and time for another edition of the Hodgepodge. I may not be able to participate next week, as I will be enjoying time at the beach with my family. But before I get there, I have packing, shopping, morning with the granddaughters, cleaning, laundry, meeting, haircut, airport pickup, doggie drop off, and a wedding to attend. Praying that everything gets checked off my to-do list!
Thanks to Joyce, for hosting this little party. Click on the button below to visit her blog.

Here we go with her questions and my answers:

1. Do you play games of luck/chance for money? Have you ever played bingo for money? Visited a casino?  Placed a bet on a horse? Bought a lottery ticket?
My answers: no, no, yes, yes, no.
I don't play games of luck/chance for money. I guess to me it's just about like putting money into a shredder. I have walked through a casino before, amazed that so many people are willing to do just that.
I have never purchased a lottery ticket.

We have placed a $2 bet on a horse while visiting the famous tracks in Kentucky. I guess I think that expense is all part of the experience. 

Here are the kids at Keeneland, in Lexington. I think the caption is, "Bet the trifecta, Dad!"

 And a few days later, on a track tour at Churchill Downs in Louisville. 

2.  Will you be preparing and/or dining on the traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage meal this St. Patrick's Day? Mashed-baked-hash browned-french fried...your favorite way to have potatoes?
I will not be preparing nor dining on Corned Beef and Cabbage. Sounds awful.
Potatoes, now, are another thing altogether. I don't think I could possibly choose a favorite for fear of hurting a potato feeling. You are all my favorite.

3. What's the last thing you felt 'green with envy' over? 
I couldn't really think of anything, which I guess is a good thing. I might have been just a little envious when I heard about my son's awesome accommodations in Cancun this week. But would I want to be in Cancun with 45,000 college students? No. No I would not. And come Monday, we will be enjoying the beach ourselves (not in Cancun, and not with 45,000 college students, thank goodness!).

4.  What's at the end of your rainbow?
This week, I'll choose a lounge chair, on the beach, with my family. And a tropical beverage. 

5. March 12th marks the anniversary of the death of Anne Frank (June 12, 1929-March, 1945).  Anne's diary detailing her time spent hiding from the Nazi's during the war ranks as one of the best selling books of all time.  Besides your blog, do you keep any sort of diary or journal?  Was this a habit you developed as a child or is journaling something new for you?
I don't keep a diary besides my blog. I had a few diaries when I was a kid. You know, the kind with a little lock and key? But I didn't ever stick with it. My great grandmother kept a diary. It was just a simple record of the weather and other important information of the day.

6. What's an item in your home or closet that contains every color of the rainbow?
This beautiful stained glass was made for us by a friend in memory of my mother-in-law, who recently passed away. I love the bright colors and how it looks hanging in our kitchen (which was my mother-in-law's kitchen before it was mine).

7.  Write a limerick with you as the subject.  You can do it!!  Just remember this is a family friendly blog...don't make me get out my wooden spoon. 

There once was an old mom named Sue,
Whose kids are all grown up, it's true.
Though the chaos is gone,
(Well, all except Jon),
We fondly remember Stewzoo!

For those were long days full of fun,
And laundry that never got done.
Though the house was a mess,
We surely were blessed,
Our cup did indeed over-run!

And though sometimes I miss those old days

Of ball games and swim meets and craze,

I'm so happy to see

Who they've grown up to be,

And to give God the thanks and the praise.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Our high school basketball team won two more games last week to secure the regional championship and qualify for semi-state. They will play Saturday afternoon in the next round of the tournament. They are a fun team to watch, and a group of really good boys.

Here is another cool video summary of the games last Saturday.

GO PIRATES!! And to borrow a phrase from one of my 'other' teams, "Bless You Boys!"

Play to the Dough

Last Friday, when Matthew was here after school, we decided to whip up a little batch of purple play-dough. We tried a recipe a few weeks ago that he had gotten from a friend on the bus that didn't work so well, so we tried a different one this time.

He chose the purple.

And he did the stirring.

And the kneading.

He even did a little smiling.

Slicing.

And creating.

He ended up with this creation he called a landscape. It reminds me of some of the rock formations we saw last fall in Colorado. 

You know, purple mountain majesties. :)

Five Years on a Friday

It has been a busy week, with more 'busy' still to come. On Tuesday, I volunteered in the 'baby room' at MOPS. I enjoy those littlest Moppets, and am thankful for the opportunity to help the community of young Christian moms who gather to support and encourage one another. I remember some days at home with small children when I longed for adult conversation. I did manage to get myself out and about with friends and volunteer organizations, which helped me to not go completely crazy. (I guess that might be my own opinion. Ha!)

After MOPS, I met a friend for lunch, and we did some furniture 'browsing'. She is thinking about new dining room furniture, so we visited an Amish furniture store just north of here and found some beautiful pieces. It's always fun to shop!

On Tuesday evening, the big snow moved in, and it snowed all night. Schools were closed in our county, but that didn't stop me from making the trek over the river and through the woods up the interstate to the city to do my civic duty as a juror on a grand jury. It is a 6 month term, and we meet about 4 days a month. Needless to day, it is interesting. Especially for a small town girl like me. (Can I still call myself a girl?)

I spent the night at Jennifer and Bryan's, and got to hang out with this pup. What a sweet face.

On Thursday, I met a friend for lunch, and we ate at Trader's Point Creamery in Zionsville. It was my first visit there, and I had the lunch special mac n cheese, with broccoli, bacon, and other good stuff. Delicious! Of course, the cheese is made right there on the farm. I also purchased some lavender-mint milk soap.

Our day was finished with a trip to Whole Foods, another first for me. I really should get out more!

And finally, today is the 5th wedding anniversary of my oldest son, David, and his wife Shylah. That day was marked by a March snowstorm similar to the one we had this week. It made for a few challenges, but, in the words of our wise pastor, "at the end of the day, they were married."

This is as close as they got to seeing each other before the ceremony. Such a cute picture.

And their wedding party had lots of fun.

Happy Anniversary, David and Shylah!

I'm linking up today for Friday Fragments at Half-Past Kissin' Time. Click on the button to check it out.

Hop on Hodgepodge

I'm heading out for jury duty today, but making time for a little Wednesday Hodgepodge before braving the snow and cold for the trek north. Thanks to our hostess, Joyce, for the great questions. I'm glad she included Dr. Seuss in her March lineup, which you will see when you read my answers below. You do read my answers, right? And when you've finished here, just click on the button and see what Joyce has to say today.

Here we go with the questions and my answers:

1. My real life friends came through with another question this week so thank you real life friends. When you've eaten in a restaurant do you complete their comment card? Do you take online surveys highlighted at the bottom of store receipts? 
I have completed comment cards in restaurants. The last time I remember doing one was in New Orleans last fall when we had a few concerns about our seating and service at the restaurant. This question did make me think about the importance of writing comment cards for good service as well as service that we consider to be sub-par. With my effort during Lent (and throughout the year, or forever, really) to be a gracer, not a hater, I am going to try to complete comment cards when the service or food has been especially good.
I rarely take the online surveys at the bottom of store receipts. I guess I think it is the merchant's way of acquiring my information in order to fill up my inbox with not-to-be missed important offers. My inbox is already filled to the brim.

2. The (US) ban on women in combat was lifted at the end of January. It will probably be next year before specifics are worked out, but its been reported over 200,000 front line positions will eventually open up to women.  Your thoughts?
I am fine if women wish to serve in front line positions. It would not be my choice, but I respect it if it is yours.

3.  In looking back at all the blog posts you've written, what's your favorite post title? 
I have quite a few favorite post titles. Attempting to think of a clever title is an enjoyable part of blogging for me. I don't know that I am always successful at being clever, but I have fun anyway. Maybe my titles are only clever in my mind.  Ha! Anyway, one that came to mind was Boiled Buckeyes, when our beloved Purdue Boilermakers defeated those pesky Ohio State Buckeyes on the football field.

4. What's worse-overly permissive parents or overly protective parents?  Did your own parents lean more to the permissive or the protective category?  If you're a parent where do you fall? 
I think it's the overly that is the concern in either the permissive or protective camp. Finding the right balance is every parent's challenge. My parents? Protective. Myself? The same.

5.  Candlelight-moonlight-firelight-bright lights in the big city...which one's your favorite? 
I'll choose firelight, lakefront, with the family.

6. Dr. Seuss's birthday was celebrated on Saturday. What's a favorite book you remember (Seuss or otherwise) from your own childhood?  Did books play an important role in your growing up years? Explain. 
I loved Dr. Seuss books when I was a child. Still do. My favorites were One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, and Green Eggs and Ham. I think I knew them by heart. When my children were young, a favorite was The Sneetches. We loved the book and the video.

I loved books as a child, and tried to pass that love on to our children, with varying degrees of success. Maybe some people are born readers and others are not. Thoughts?

7.  To quote Dr. Seuss...

"From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere." 

from One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

Share something funny you've recently read, seen or heard.  

I believe the Dr. Seuss quote refers to funny peculiar, and while my something falls more in the category of funny haha, I thought I would share it nonetheless.
My brother recently left these notes for the teenagers and young adults in his house:

In case you can't read it, it the first note says:

"When leaving your dishes in the sink, please put one of these notes on the dishes... for clarity."

The (several) provided notes say:

"Ted and Cheryl,I'm leaving these dishes for you to do, because I don't feel like you all do enough for us and I don't feel like doing them."

That brother of mine is a clever guy. We shall see how it works. :)

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I can't post in March without at least one mention of basketball. There is no basketball like high school basketball in Indiana. Last Friday, our Greensburg Pirates faced their arch rivals, the Batesville Bulldogs, who had handed the Pirates their only loss of the season a few weeks ago. The Pirates were out to avenge that loss and advance to the next round of the tournament.

When these two teams played at Batesville, fans were actually turned away at the door because their gym isn't large enough to handle the crowd. On Friday night, the gym in Greensburg was filled to the rafters, with cars filling the parking lot and side streets several blocks away.

As I arrived and climbed the stairs in search of a seat, it was just the moment that the team was waiting to take the floor. I imagine there was some nervous excitement as they tried to settle and focus on the task at hand. I always look at these young men from a mother's perspective, and see them as boys. Boys who grew up dreaming of this day. Boys who play for the love of the game and the camaraderie of the team. Boys who sat on their mama's laps and read The Little Engine That Could. And pretty soon I'm blubbering about little boys (and girls) who are all grown up and how did that happen and could we please just turn back time?

It was a hotly contested game, with the excitement and suspense we have learned to love as basketball fans in Indiana. There are many valuable lessons to be learned from high school sports. How to be a gracious winner and a gracious loser. To respect your coach, the officials, and your teammates. And when your son is standing on that free throw line with the game on the line, to remember that this is a game, and we play it for fun.

In the end, the Pirates were victorious, and earned the right to play in the Sectional final the following evening.

And when the final buzzer sounded on Saturday, Greensburg was on top and crowned Sectional Champions.

They hoisted the trophy,

celebrated with their fans,

and cut down the net.

Someone put together an awesome highlight video from the game against Batesville on Friday night. It's worth a watch. GO PIRATES!!!